N Router vs. G Router – Which IEEE standard is better?

802.11 standards developed by the IEEE are important networking protocols. What do they mean? Take a look as we compare and review routers and g routers for more.

Ever wondered why routers are tagged with various series of numbers or letters? Well for the most part, these tags help indicate compliance to the 802.11 standard protocol. Additional letters such like n, g, ac and the like are very important on these tags. They are indicative of not only compliance to the 802.11 protocol for wireless devices but also show what version/update of the protocol said device is enabled with.

Today, we will compare two very popular 802.11 protocols on routers: n and g routers. Read on as we elaborate on what these protocols are, and how they influence function and differences between said routers.

What are the differences between N Router vs. G Router?

	N Router (Winner)	G Router
Speeds	50-144Mbps Can reach 600Mbps	54Mbps
Indoor range	70m indoors/ 229.659 feet	170 feet
Channel band width	20Hz, 40Hz	20Hz
Backward compatibility	Yes, with all 802.11 standards	Yes, with 802.11b
	View here	View here

 

N Router vs. G Router – What are the main differences between the two?

Speed

Speed is everything in connectivity: at least to most people. In fact, many users rely on speed to gauge the performance of routers and other connectivity and networking devices. For this instance: n routers are enabled with faster transfer speeds and various contingencies that ensure supplemented performance in this field. These are often capable of 50Mbps to 144Mbps which using MIMO and other elements, can reach 450/600Mbps.

G routers on the other hand have comparatively lower speeds and will not operate to the degrees which n routers are capable of doing. A maximum 54Mbps is the fastest users can hope to operate 802.11g routers. At such speeds, usage is limited: especially with regard to multiple device/user connection.

To put this in perspective: n routers will serve to connect customers on a client service Wi-Fi compared to g routers. In fact, public connections over these speeds are very difficult.

Frequency

Wi-Fi signals are transmitted over two frequencies: 5GHz band and 2.4GHz. Routers that can transmit signals over both bands are considerably better than single band technologies. Such is the case for both n and g routers, whereby: n routers are dual band enabled while g routers are single band enabled.

With dual band tech, n routers are much less susceptible to interference and signal attenuation. In fact, these routers switch between frequencies when relaying data, to operate on the least crowded and most efficient band at that time. Therefore, a wider transmission range as we see on n routers is more accomplished in minimizing interference especially in dense populations where traffic and thus interference is common.

Range

While using g routers, users can access indoor ranges of 170 feet, n routers nearly double this range indoors allowing up to 70m for access. This is approximately 230feet and considerably large. Public spaces can take advantage of n routers more than they would g routers, with nearly 60 feet difference in accessible connection. Outside, n routers reach 250m ranges which is still pretty good for use as public or client service connectivity.

Compatibility

Different devices are equipped to work with various standards. However, this doesn’t mean you will have to rid of all devices enabled with ‘outdated’ standards. Above, we have discussed the differences in the frequencies accessible to both n and g routers. This is important because it affect backward compatibility. For this reason, N routers are backward compatible with all previous 802.11 standards. Unfortunately, g routers are only backward compatible with 802.11b devices.

N Router vs. G Router – A comparison review

N Router -Overview and Key Features

Designed to outperform its predecessors in all fields, n routers are no doubt one of the most popular 802.11 standards: and with good reason. These routers are capable of transfer rates between 50Mbps and 144Mbps, and are well equipped to meet many if not all of your internet access needs. Take a look at the features and capabilities of n-routers below.

Features

N routers are compliant with the protocols as provided by the 802.11n standard. Since its approval, devices enabled with this standard has gained traction with many different users.

The standard allows for use on both 2.4 and 5GHz radio frequencies. Since 5GHz frequencies are less crowded, they offer faster transmission rates, unlike the vastly used 2.4GHz frequency. With said dual band technology, interference especially over densely populated networks is kept minimal. When needed, the n-router switches between radio frequencies to deliver signals over the least saturated frequency. Moreover, the dual band feature allows n routers to switch between the frequencies depending on how far the router is placed from the adapter.

Capable of transfer speeds of between 50Mbps to 144Mbps, ensure users are conveniently connected to the internet. However, 802.11n devices are capable of a maximum data rate of 600Mbps. At these speeds, multiple users can browse, surf and stream content in different quality with varying demands: all without lagging or buffering.

In fact, these routers are enabled with both 20MHz and 40MHz bandwidths and will achieve better transfer rates thanks to the MIMO configurations used. This change to the channel band width ensures improved performance and security over said channels.  Said technology simply allows multiple inputs and multiple output by the use of several transmission and receiving antennae.

N standard routers are backward compatible withal the older 802.11 technologies. This is accomplished using various modes and configurations present on n-routers. For instance n devices are designed to support legacy fallbacks on older standards.

MIMO configurations used on n router connections responsible for the improved transfer speeds. 802.11n accommodates both 2T3R and 4T4R configurations. IN this system, 2T3R, 2 antennas will transmit data while 3 will receive. Various modulation schemes are used with 802.11 standards include both OFDM and DSSS or CCK.

The range using an n-router extends about 70m indoors and 250m outdoors. This is just under 300 feet range, just indoors. With this, users especially household won’t need to worry about internet dead zones within the space.

In summary

Advantages

• Utilizes advanced signal processing techniques for maximum performance
• Large indoor and outdoor connection range
• Backward compatible with all former 802.11 standards

Disadvantages

G Router – Overview and Key Features

Also known as Wi-Fi 3 or Wireless G,  g routers are well equipped to handle medium duty demand. In fact, there are many capabilities conferred to routers with the IEEE 802.11g. Here are some of those capabilities and the features that make the possible.

Features

Wireless G is still relatively new technology. The standard as approved in 2003 and is one of the most popularly used 802.11 protocols available. These routers operate on the 2.4 GHz frequency: similar to routers on initial standards. This is quite unlike other protocols that transitioned to dual band technology, utilizing both 5 GHz and 2.4 GHz band frequencies to transmit data.

In fact, g routers rely on OFDM transmission scheme to communicate. Said technology is a modulation scheme that allows the router channels to utilize many subcarriers within a channel. Ideally, the goal is to enable more subcarriers and improve spectral efficiency with OFDM.

A router with said standard will use 3 channels. These channels designed with widths which can more realistically manage the speeds and transmission rates with which the device operates. Wireless g routers are designed with multichannel tech, and are enabled with backward compatibility. Devices with older 802.11 standards such as 802.11b are compatible with the newer wireless g.

Connection speeds and performance of wireless G networks will vary depending on the nature of uses. Primarily, this technology is not designed to handle overwhelming number of users and will suffer to meet their connection and internet access needs.

Since the maximum transmission rate for this system is 54Mbps, users can and should only rely on the connection for basic web surfing, simple browsing and streaming contend on HD, or even SD. This is especially when multiple users and devices are connected on to the wireless G powered network.

Unfortunately, a connection over g-routers is susceptible to interference. This is usually a result of other appliances and construction material within the space. With this connection however, users can access wireless internet tech up to 170 feet indoors.

In summary

Advantages

• Backward compatible with 802.11b protocol
• Good enough indoor range
• Operates at a maximum speed of 54Mbps

Disadvantages

• Signal over g-routers are very susceptible to interference

Verdict: So which one is better, G vs. N router?

All things considered, N routers, compliant with 802.11n standards, are far much capable compared to g routers. These incorporate a variety of technologies to ensure the router has superior transmission speeds, over both viable frequencies. With this, n routers do a better job at connecting many clients across a wider range to the internet without running the risk of signal interference. N routers are faster, safer and more reliable compared to g routers.